firmament Hee is called for his loue to Musicke the Musical Signe and is beautified with nine bright stars according to the number of the Muses Andromedae vero radiat quae stella sub ipsa Albo fulget AEquus tres Hormo sed latera AEquus Distingunt spatijs The Horse is called Equus dimidius because his fore-parts are onely seene and the rest concealed Aratus saith that he was made a Star Because that in the top of the Heliconian mountaine striking a rocke with his right hoofe he brought forth water which after grew to a Well dedicated to the Muses and the liquor thereof called Hypocrene But Euripides would confer this honour vpon Menalippe the daughter of Chiron who according to the Centaure her fathers shape was halfe Mare halfe Maid She being stuprated and growing great as ready to be deliuered fled into the Mount Pelion to secure her selfe from the displeasure of her father and being pittied by the gods was lifted vp amongst the Signes bearing an Equinall shape but her hinder parts for modesties sake are altogether obscured and concealed Est etiam propriore deum cognoscere signo Deltoton si quis donum hoc spectabile Nili Divitibus veneratum vndis in sede notarit Aboue the head of the Ram not far from the feet of Andromeda bordereth that Signe which the Greekes for the resemblance that it hath to the letter Delta call Deltoton but the Latines in regard of the propernesse of the forme name it Triangulum a Triangle Some say it is the figure of AEgypt proportioned out in Stars in Trigono or three angles The channell also of Nilus as some say disposeth it selfe after the same forme It was placed where it now shines by Mercury at the command of Iupiter Diverso posita Boreae vicina legenti Auster Pistrix agit Vnder Aries and Pisces and aboue the Floud Padus or Eridanus is Pistrix or the Whale placed in the region of the starry Heauen This is said to be the Sea Monster sent to Cepheus by the enuy of the Nereides because Cassiopeia and Andromeda preferred their owne beauties before theirs who was slaine by Perseus Planxere ignotes Asiae Phaetondides vndis Eridanus medius liquidis interjacet Astris The Floud placed beneath the Whale in the region of the heauen to which the right foot of Orion is extended of Aratus and Pherecides is called Eridanus Padus and therefore there seated because it directeth his channell and course towards the parts Meridionall But Hesiod giueth his reason and saith It was so honoured for Phaeton the sonne of Phoebus and Climene who ascending the Chariot of his father and being lifted so exceeding high from the earth through feare fell from his seat being also strook with a bolt by Iupiter into the floud Padus or Eridanus when by that meanes all things were set on fire and began to burne all the springs and riuers of the earth were let loose to extinguish the same Which made such a deluge that it ouerflowed the whole face of the earth by which means all mankind was said to perish sauing Deucalion and Pyrrha The sisters of Phaeton after extreme weeping and lamenting for their brother were changed into Poplar trees and their teares hardned into Amber They were called Heliades and their names Merope Helie AEgle AEgiale Petre Phoebe Cherie Diosippe Cignus also K. of Liguria a neere kinsman of theirs in his depth of lamentation for Phaeton was metamorphised into a Swan from whom al Swans borrow their sad mournfull notes Some thinke this floud to be Nilus which is also Gyon and therefore stellified because it directeth his course from the Meridian It consisteth of many stars and lieth iust beneath the star called Canopus or Ptolomaea and toucheth some part of the Argoe or Ship It appeareth very low insomuch that it seemeth almost to touch the earth for which cause it is stiled Stella terrestris c. Sic vtrumque oritur sic occidit in freta sidus Tu parvum Leporem perpende sub Orione Lepus the Hare hath place beneath the feet of Orion and his Dog for those that feigned him to be an Huntsman so fashioned it that the Hare lieth beneath his feet Some deny that so great and noble a Hunter as Orion should spend his time in the chase of so fearefull and wretched a beast as the Hare Callimachus in speaking of the praise of Diana accuseth him for taking too much delight in killing Hares Some affirme she was translated into the Heauens by Mercury as Aratus in his Phenom for her extraordinarie velocitie and swiftnesse or else for her fruitfulnesse bringing forth some young and hauing others still immature in her belly for so Aristotle reporteth of her It is said also That in the antient times in the Island called Hiera there were no Hares at all but that a yong man of that City got a yong Liueret from a forreine countrey and brought it vp being a female till it was deliuered of young ones By whose example others making him their president fell into the like care of breeding them who in short time increased into a great multitude but the city being distressed by a narrow streight siege they were inforced to deuoure them all whom before they had so indulgently cherished Yet was the figure of the Hare after placed in the Firmament to put men in minde That no man ought to take too much pleasure in any thing least the losse of it after might breed their greater sorrow Tela caput magnisque humeris sic baltheus ardet Sic vagina ensis pernici sic pede fulget Orion who is also called Incola shineth before the Bull and deriueth his name ab Vrina or the inundation of waters He riseth in the Winter season disturbing both earth and sea with shoures and tempests The Romans call him Iugula because he is armed with a sword and sheweth bright and terrible in the splendor of his stars who if he appeare portendeth faire weather if hee be obscured stormes and tempest Hesiod maketh him the sonne of Neptune and Euriale to whom his father gaue that vertue to walk as stedfastly vpon the sea as the land Who comming to Chios comprest Merope the daughter of Oenopion for which iniurie Oenopion surprised him and put out his eyes banishing him from his confines Hee after comming to Lemnos by Apollo was restored to his sight and returning to Chios to auenge himselfe vpon his enemie the father of Merope who by the people of his Citie was hid in the earth him Orion not finding trauelled ouer into Creet where hunting and making hauocke of the Game was reprehended by Diana To whom he made answer That ere he departed from that Island he would not leaue one beast liuing vpon the mountains For which arrogant language Tellus or the Earth being much displeased sent a Scorpion of an vnmeasurable greatnesse which
saith Saint Bernard is of his belly the Lechers of his lust and the Couetous mans of his gold And Saint Augustine By Liberalitie mens vices are couered but by Couetousnesse they are layd open to the world Ardua res haec est opibus non tradere mores Et cum tot Croesos viceris esse Numam i. A difficult thing it is for any man that is rich not to submit his minde and affections vnto his money and passing many a Croesus in wealth to beare a modest temperature with Numa It is better to be the Sheepe than the Sonne of an auaritious man saith Diegenes the one he loueth and tendreth for the increase the other he neglecteth and hateth for the expence Though according to Apollonius the common excuse of the rich man is That he gathereth and hoordeth for the vse of his children so insatiate is his desire as being neuer satisfied that the obtaining of what he would haue is but the beginning to him of the desire of hauing According to that of Boëthius lib. 2. Metr 2. Si quantas rapidis flatibus incitus Pontus versat Arenas c. If with so many sands as seas vp cast When they are stirr'd with some tempestuous blast Or wert thou furnisht as the skies with starres When neither fog nor cloud their lustre barres Or wert thou by th' abundant horne of Plenty Supply'd with all things leauing no place empty Yet humane nature couetous of gaine Would not forbeare to murmur and complaine Although to it heav'ns liberall hand should lend More gold than it could study how to spend Though Honour grace the name and Pride the backe 'T will say all 's little something yet doth lacke Gaping Desire vncircumscrib'd by Lawes Still yawnes with open and vnsatiate jawes What bridle or what curbe can we then finde To restraine this rapacitie of minde Whenas the more we drink the more we thirst Our aime to get is greater than at first Such pest in mans vnlimited nature breeds That still the more he hath the more he needs Auarice is defined to be a vice in the soule much like vnto a Dropsie in the body by which a man coueteth per fas nefas to extort from others without right or reason And againe violently and injustly it with-holdeth from others what truly belongeth vnto them without equitie or conscience It is also a penurious and niggardly sparing to giue but a readinesse nay greedinesse to receiue whatsoeuer is brought neuer examining whether it be well or ill attained Vsurie and Extortion bred from Auarice saith one makes the Nobleman morgage his lands the Lawyer pawne his Littleton the Physition sel his Galen the Souldier his sword the Merchant his Ship and the World it 's peace This hellish Vice in mine opinion is as bitterly reproued as ingeniously obserued by Petronius Arbiter in one of his Satyrs Part of his words be these Orbemjam totum victor Romanus habebat Qua mare quaterrae qua sidus currit vtrumque The Roman Victor had the whole world won As far as seas flow or the earth doth run Or either Pole could from aboue suruey Yet with all this not sated was but they The Ocean must with burden'd Ships oppresse Wandring in toilesome search where they could guesse Any remote place was If they were told It yeelded Mines and they might fetch thence gold And now although they were in league before Hostilitie's proclaim'd and for that Oare Arm'd Vessels rigg'd all dangers are held good To purchase wealth howeuer bought with bloud Pleasures in vse are sleighted because knowne We doat on forrein things despise our owne And in another place to the like purpose Nor is lesse rapine in the campe for there Generals when they of gaine and profit heare Fly to the noise and madly snatch at gold Nay ev'n the Roman people's to be sold The very seats on which the Patriots sit In open Court are bought nor can we quit Old men from Auarice since each one striues Vertue once free to binde in golden gyues Pow'rs turne to prey and Place to purchase pelfe There 's nothing free scarce Maiestie it selfe Couetousnesse robbeth a man of the title of Gentry because it together delighteth it selfe in sordid Ignobilitie Vsurie the eldest and most fruitfull-breeding daughter of old Auarice was so much at one time despised and hated in Rome that Appian in his first booke of Ciuill warres commemorateth vnto vs That there was a great penaltie imposed vpon any noble Citisen who would shew himselfe so degenerate as to contract her for it is said of her That she bringeth forth her children before they be begotten besides she is most hated of those whom shee seemeth most to gratifie And according to that of the Poet Turpia Lucra Faenoris velox Inopes vsura trucidat The filthy and base gaine of Increase and the swift returne of Vsurie murdereth the Poore and Needy But I am confident that whosoeuer he be that shall grinde the faces of the Poore in this world the Diuell shall grate vpon his bones in the world to come O but saith one Gold guideth the globe of the earth and Couetousnesse runnes round about the Centre Auri sacra fanes quid non This putteth me in remembrance of the Poet Balbus which lately came to my hand and I haue read thus Aurum cuncta movet superi flectuntur ab Auro Gaudet Aurato Iupiter ipse Thoro. Which as neere as I can I haue thus faithfully rendred Gold can do all things gods with it are fed And Iove himselfe lies in a golden bed With Gold the Temples shine the Altars too In it men trust for it can all things doo Gold helps in Peace is preualent in Warres It raiseth Armies it compoundeth jarres The Romuleian Patriots redeem'd With Gold their Capitoll 'T is so esteem'd And beares with it such potencie and sway That vnto it Aire Earth and Seas obey What other high Pow'r need we loue or feare Pallas away and Iuno come not neare Mars hence◠Diana with thy modest looke Come not in sight thy presence wee 'l not brooke Gold only dwells in Temples and doth raigne And at it's Altars are fat Offrings slaine He that hath Gold the very Starres may buy And can the gods leade in captiuity Gold raiseth War and Discord can appease It plowes deepe furrowes in the vnknowne seas It breakes downe Citadels such pow'r it claimes And folds vp Cities in deuouring flames Take Gold away the yong Maid would not be So soone depriv'd of her Virginitie Take Gold away yong men would be more stay'd And their indulgent Parents more obey'd Take Gold away sincere Faith would be vow'd Yong wiues more chaste and Matrons be lesse proud Youth would not be to Fashion so deuote Nor Age on Riches more than Vertue dote Yet hath it a pow'r op'ratiue to infuse Raptures and Enthusiasma's to the Muse. To giue vs Gold would any be so kinde A golden veine he in our Verse should
delude man and draw him from the worship of the true God The Image of AEsculapius honored among the Epidaurians and after brought to Rome as one of the twelue tables testifieth was with a Greeke Inscription long kept in the Family of the Maffaeans and wrought diuers strange wonders I will for breuities sake expresse but one or two of them and those verbatim by transcription from Hieronimus Mercurialis a learned Physitian In those daies saith he one Cato a Roman brought this word to a blind man from the Oracle That he should present himselfe before the altar of that Image and there kneeling should remooue himselfe from the left side to the right and putting his fiue fingers first vpon the eyes of the Idoll and then vpon his owne hee should receiue his sight which was accordingly done amidst a great confluence of people who highly applauded the miracle Again one Iulian vomiting bloud continually and despairing of all humane helpe had answer from the Oracle That he should present himself before the altar of AEsculapius and to take thence the nuts of a Pine apple and eat them with honey for three daies together which doing he recouered his pristine health Diodorus Siculus makes mention of an oblation made to Gerion and Iolaus by the children of the Leontinians which whoso neglected was either strook with blindnesse deafnes numnesse lamenesse or the like but hauing performed all the ceremonies required at the Altar they instantly recouered their health againe In Castabula if we will beleeue Strabo there was a temple dedicated to Diana Persica to which all such virgins as vowed perpetuall chastity might familiarly walke vpon hot irons or tread vpon burning coles and neuer feele heate or fire The like he reporteth to be in the city of Feronia scituat at the foot of the mountaine Saractes where all the Votaresses belonging to that Shrine may do the like which shewes the malice and ambition of these malevolent Spirits which would vsurpe the power of the Almighty Besides their Oracles haue a great apparance of truth and for most part such as put any confidence in them they would take vnto their protection but the contemners of their superstitious rites they would seuerely punish Aristides a potent gouernor in Smyrna when a mighty and prodigious earthquake was neere at hand was fore-warned by the Image of Esculapius to go vp vnto the mountain Atis and there to offer sacrifice Which he accordingly did and was no sooner got vp to the middle part of the ascent but in the region below hapned such a terrible shake of the earth that villages and cities were demolished only the mountain Atis in which by that prediction he was secured felt at that time no such calamitie Plutarch and Liuy both write That Camillus hauing distrest the Veians made a solemne sacrifice to Iuno Veientana and besought her to be still propitious vnto the Romans saying further that if she so pleased they would transport her statue to Rome At which request the image opened her armes and embracing Camillus told him That with much willingnesse she accepted his deuotion The Athenians gaue diuine honour to Pan the god of sheepheards because meeting their Embassador Philippides in the Parthenian groues hee promised them his assistance in the great battell of Marathon fought against the Persians Cleomenes King of Sparta sacrificing to Iuno demanded what successe he should haue against the Argiues with whom he was at that time in opposition Whereupon a flame of fire suddenly issued from betwixt the breasts of the goddesse which omen was by the Haruspices or Soothsayers thus interpreted That hee should not wholly conquer the city he should surprise and consume with fire but the prime citadel he should not enter And so it hapned Annibal and Amilcar great Captains of the Carthaginian army besieging Agrigentum the souldiers ruined and demolished all the antient sepulchres that stood without the city to make their rampiers fortifications the better to secure themselues against the enemy within the city But comming neere vnto that famous monument in which Theron was interred and to leuel that as they had done the other the antient structure seemed to be touched with fire from heauen and many Daemons and spirits were seene not only to stand as champions in defence of the place but with vnresistable fury to set vpon and assault the whole army till the one halfe at least perished in the conflict among the rest Annibal himselfe expired To appease whose implacable fury Amilcar sacrificed an Infant to Saturne and cast certain priests from an high rocke precipitating them into the sea to qualifie the wrath of Neptune Natalis Comes tels vs That one Pegasus transporting the image of Dionysius otherwise called Bacchus from Eleutheria a city in Boetia into the Prouince of Attica the Athaenians suffered it to passe by them negligently without doing vnto it any reuerence or ceremony For which contempt they were plagued with a disease in their secret parts to be released of which Pegasus consulted with the Oracle which inioyned them to erect a sumptuous temple to that Idoll in the city of Athens which was held in great adoration for many yeares after Athenaeus remembers vnto vs That when the Iapitae took down the Images from the Temples of their gods with this scoffe and taunt added That their places should be preserued for some other that were more potent and powerfull in the execution of this a sudden fire fell from aboue which so terrified astonished them that they not onely instated them in their former places but from that time forward held them in much more feare and reuerence Herodotus speakes of one Artabanus a great Persian General who because he had the statue of Neptune in contempt was by the reason of a sudden inundation himselfe with the greatest part of his Army drowned The same Author witnesseth what a seuere Reuenger Apollo was of any affront or iniurie offered vnto him who when Carthage was oppressed by the Romanes and his image there erected being despoyled of that golden garment which was then vpon it the very hand which snatched it from his shoulders was after found amongst the spoiles of the citie In Hallicarnassus at all such Solemnities when any Sacrifice was to be offered vnto Iupiter Ascraeus an whole heard of Goats made a voluntary presentment of themselues before the Altar and when the rest of the superstitious ceremonies were finisht they all departed of themselues saue onely one which voluntarily staied behinde to be offered by the Priest Caelius reporteth that in Daulia there was a Temple dedicate to Minerua to which there belong certaine Dogs or rather Diuels who when any of the Argiue nation came to present their Deuotions would fawne vpon them in signe of a free and louing welcome But if any Barbarian or stranger entred the place they would fly in their faces as ready to plucke them
hornes shew lowring or cloudy towards the earth it portendeth tempest Aratus saith also If the Boreall horne of the Moone seeme any thing streightned it promiseth a North winde or if the Australl horne be any thing erected it signifieth a South winde forthwith to ensue But the quartile of the Moone is the most certain Index of wind and weather According to that of Virgil Sin ortu quarto namque is â—ertissimus author An Emblem IT presenteth an Ideot who hauing a straw sticking out of either shooe is persuaded by some waggish boyes That they are no other than gyues and fetters which hee conceiuing to be such casteth himselfe vpon the ground in great griefe and vexation as one by reason of these bonds not able to remoue out of the place The Motto Stultitia ligamur non compedibus which seemeth to be borrowed from Ecclesiastes 10.2 The heart of the Wiseman is in his right hand but the heart of the Foole is in his left hand And also When the Foole goeth by the way his heart faileth and he telleth to all that he is a Foole. Hâ—rac lib. 1. Epistol ad Mecen writeth thus Virtus est vitium fugere sapientia prima Stultitia carnisse It is a vertue to fly vice and we Count him most wise that is from folly free There are diuers sorts of folly Saint Augustine saith There is none greater in the world than to esteem the World which esteemeth no man and to make so little account of God who so greatly regardeth all men And Saint Gregory tells vs That there can be no greater folly than for a man by much trauell to increase riches and by vaine pleasure to lose his soule It is folly to attempt any wicked beginning in hope of a good and prosperous ending Or for a man to shorten his life by ryot and disorder which by temperance and abstinence might be better prolonged Folly is a meere pouerty of the minde The heart of a Foole saith Syrach is in his mouth but the mouth of a Wise man is in his heart Gregorie saith Sicut nec auris escas nec guttur verba cognoscit ita nec stultus sapientiam sapientis intelligit i. As the eare relisheth not meat nor the throat can distinguish the sound of words so neither can the Foole vnderstand the wisedome of the Wiâ—e And Seneca the Philosopher telleth vs Inter câ—tera mala hoc quaque habet stultitia quod semper incipit vivere i. Amongst many other euills this also hath Folly That it alwaies beginneth to liue But saith S. Augustine Amongst all Fooles he is the most Foole that knoweth little and would seeme to vnderstand much But I come now to the Emblemaâ—ist who thus declares himselfe Spiritus excelso se tollit in Astra volatu At Caro compedibus deprimor inquit humi Tu quid vincla voces age nunc videamus inepta Morio vel stramen compedis instar habet Vile Lucrum popularis Honos fugitiva voluptas Haeccine sint pedibus pondera iusta tuis Prô viles Animas devotaque Crura Catenis Vincîmur nervus nec tamen villus adest ¶ Thus paraphrased The Soule with swift wings to the Stars would fly The Flesh saith Fetter'd on the ground I lye What call'st thou bands looke on that Foole hee 'l say The straw that 's in my shooe hinders my way Base Gaine Vulgar Applause each fading Sweet Are those the Shackles that should gyue thy feet O wretched Soules ô Legs to Fetters deare We thinke our selues bound when no bonds are neare The morall Allusion gathered from hence beareth this Motto O demens ita servus homo est Grounded from that of Seneca Epistol 51. Non ego ambitiosus sum sed nemo aliter Romae potest vinere non ego sumptuosus sed vrbs ipsa magnas impensas exigit c. I am not ambitious but no man otherwise can liue in Rome I am not prodigall but without great expences in the city there is no liuing It is not my fault that I am angry or luxurious for I haue not yet setled the course of my life These things are to be attributed vnto my Youth not me But why doe wee so deceiue our selues Likewise the same Philosopher Epist. 58. in the conclusion thereof Inter causas malorum nostrorum est quod vivimus ad exempla nec ratione componimur sed consuetudine abducimur c. Amongst the causes of those euills which happen vnto vs one is That wee liue by Example not gouerned by Reason but carried away by Custome That which we see few doe wee will not imitate but that which many practise as if that were most honest which is most frequent According with that of the Poet Iuvenal Satyr 14. Dociles imitandis Turpibus pravis omnes sumus But to leaue further enforcing the Argument and come to the Author whom we reade thus Multa quidem totam putrantur inepta per vrbum Cumque petis causam Mos jubet ista ferunt Anne igitur stolidi nos string at opinio vulgi Regulanum vita factio plebis erit Stamine sic fragili vel stramine Morio vinctus Vah sibi compedibus crura sonare putat Serviles vilesque sumus prô vincômur immo Vincîmur miseri causaque nulla subest ¶ Thus paraphrased Follies through all the City frequent be If aske the cause Custome 't is layd on thee Shall the vaine humors of the vulgar Sect Prescribe vs rules our liues how to direct The Ideot with a straw or weake thread bound Thinkes weighty fetters at his heeles to sound Seruile we are so made by our owne Lawes To thinke our selues gyv'd when indeed 's no cause A Meditation vpon the former Tractate TRue God true Life From By In whom all things That truly liue haue Life from Thee it springs God Good and Fayre From By In whom what breeds Goodnesse or Beautie all from Thee proceeds From whom to Turne is to fall Miserably In whom to Trust is to stand Constantly By whom to Hold is to rise Instantly Whose Faith vnto good Actions vs accites Whose Hope to Prayer and Thanksgiuing inuites Whose Charity Vs vnto Him vnites Who to all wretched sinners hath thus spoken Aske haue Seeke finde but Knocke and I will open Whom none can Lose that to the Right doth leane None Seeke but Cal'd none Find but he that 's Cleane To Know whom is to Liue Serue whom to Raigne Praise whom the Soules eternall Blisse to gaine Thou art the God all potent Keeper alone Of all that hope in Thee without whom none Can safety find or be from danger free O! Thou art God and there is none saue Thee In Heauen aboue or in the Earth below Inscrutable things and wonders great wee know Thou work'st of which no number can be made Praise Honour Glorie More than can be said Belong to thee Thou in thy Counsels darke First mad'st the World and after Moses Arke To patterne it
likewise consecrate some seuerall Gem Vnto the Sun the Carbuncle is due And Hyacinth of colour greene and blew Th' Adamant and Chrystall to the Queene of Night To Saturne th' Onyx and the Chrysolite The Saphyr with the Diamond to Iove The Iasper and the Magnet Mars doth loue Smaraged and Sardix Venus doth not hate Nor Mercury the Topaz and Achate Now in these stones at set houres they would cut Faces in which the Heav'nly Signes should put Strange vertue so that each impressiue fashion Should haue in it a sev'rall operation The manner would seeme tedious These imprest They held to be much nobler than the rest As first the signet of the Sun to haue Pow'r to make men wise valiant potent graue Happy but full of Thoughts The Moone 's to make Prosp'rous in Voyages they vndertake And gratious amongst women Ioves Seale-Ring Doth Friendship Dignities and Honours bring To Riches Office into Princes grace To peace of thoughts Priesthood and eminent place All these if Saturne nothing shall oppose The Seale of Mars makes pow'rfull ouer Foes Victorious full of Fortitude audacious If Mercury shall at that time be gracious Th' impression that from Venus they deriue Doth make men louely gratious to suruiue In Princes fauors but in Womens best It helps in fortunat Mariage doth inuest In gracefull Clergy banisheth all care And makes Man affable and debonaire Mercury's works to be solicitous Quicke nimble witted and facetious Cunning in Trading crafty worldly wise And apt for all Commerce and Merchandise Ingenious in each Mechanicke trade And fortunat in ev'ry bargain 's made Saturne's makes Man of a relenting straine A thousand wayes insidiating gaine To Rich men deare to hate Women aboue measure And fortunat in finding hidden treasure And these are the delirements practis'd still By those professing naturall Magicks skill In th' Heav'ns motion who so dull can bee But knowes them of such quicke velocitie That before they such pourtraitures can fashion The Stars that are still mouing change their station Nor can a Figure cut in Lead or Gold Siluer or other mettall that doth hold No correspondence with the Stars then take A second nature and the first forsake Adding to the Materiall a new Power Which neuer it assum'd vntill that hower But our Theologists and Doctors all Without exception this plaine Magicke call Saith one These Obseruations from the first Idolotrous are by God himselfe accurst And interdicted by the Church for sure We are That what they by the Stars procure Is meere deception and illusion vaine By Sathans cunning crept into Mans braine The Schoole of Paris doth that Art thus tax Those Images of Mettall or of Wax Or other Matter wheresoeuer sought Whether by certaine Constellations wrought Or whether they are figures that infer Sculpture or forme of certaine Character Or whether that Effigies be baptis'd Or else by Incantation exorcis'd Or consecrate or rather execrate Obseruing punctu'ally to imitate Bookes of that nature all we hold to bee Errors in Faith and true Astrologie My Verse no longer shall your patience tyre The Prose may yeeld what further you desire Amor Dei est in Donatione Condonatione Missione Remissione Explicit Metrum Tract septimi Theologicall Philosphicall Poeticall Historicall Apothegmaticall Hierogliphicall and Emblematicall Obseruations touching the further illustration of the former Tractat. I Began the precedent Tractat with a Contemplation of the great Works of the Almighty I descend now to an apprehension What Ignorance or at least wilfull Ignorance is Seneca in Octavia saith Inertis est nescire quod liceat sibi It is the part of a sloathfull man to be ignorant of such things to the knowledge of which he by his industry may attaine It is a thing worthy remarke to obserue how the Dull and Stupid emulate and enuy the Pregnant Learned One not vnfitly compared them to a Fox who being hungry and spying a Peare tree laden with ripe fruit layd all his force to the root thereof but finding his strength too weake and that by his vaine shaking thereof nothing fell from thence he departed saying Fie vpon them these Peares are a bitter fruit and would neuer haue agreed with my stomacke The same Fox looking vpon an Asse and imagining that his hanging testicles would euery instant fall after he had followed him some miles till he was wearie and finding himselfe frustrat of his expectation returned back with these words Now I consider better with my selfe the stones of this Asse are stinking and loathsom besides they are very hard of digestion It may be thus applied There is no wise or discreet man but doth honour all good Sciences and humane Learning To such onely they are in contempt and scorne whose weaknesse of iudgement and imbecilitie of braine finde themselues vnable to attaine to such noble Mysteries It is reported of one Daiglinus a Mimicke in the city of Constance That hearing of a simple and ignorant man to be elected Consull came to him in a kinde of gratulation for his new honour in these words O Sir I hold you to be a most fit man to vndertake this noble Office of Iudicature The other demanding of him the reason why he thought so He made him this answer Because Sir you haue so husbanded your good words and so treasured vp your wisedome that hitherto neither of them hath been heard to proceed from you Of such wise Senators there is a prouerbe amongst the Germans to this purpose If thou hast Wit which thou wouldst not be rob'd of trust it with such an Alderman for there it shall be most safe because no man will suspect any such thing from him To be ignorant in such things as concerne euery man in his priuat estate is not onely a blemish but a mischiefe According to that of Horace Lib. 2. Sat. 6. Sed quod magis ad nos Pertinet nescire malum est c. Such things as most concerne vs not to know Is ill in vs and therefore we must grow To search if those instated ' boue the rest Be more in Riches than in Vertue blest Next thinke vpon the means that they accite To friendship goodnesse or to do what 's right And then not onely what is Good to finde But to the soueraigne Good apply thy minde Of wilfull Ignorance saith Salomon Qui evitat discere incidit in mala He that despiseth to learne falleth into euil Prov. 17. Therefore were my People lead captiue because they had no knowledge saith Esay cap. 5. And in Cap. 27. It is not a wise People therefore hee will not haue mercy on them that made them and Hee that fashioned them will not spare them And Baruch cap. 3. And because they had no wisedome they perished in their folly We reade Saint Augustine thus Of the euill mother Ignorance come two like bad Daughters Deception and Doubt the one wretched the other
them there Where seemes no want of welcome or of cheare The table drawne and their discourse now free Iohn asks of them if they could wish to see Their fathers present they desire him too 't Prouing to finde if he by Art can doo 't He bids them to sit silent all are mute When suddenly one enters in a suâ—e Greasie before him a white apron ty'de His linnen sleeues tuckt vp both elbowes hide He stands and eyes them round and by his looke None there but needs must guesse him for a Cooke Which of you know this fellow now saith Iohn What say you Sir whom he so gaseth on He soone reply'de on whom he fixt his eye Aske you who knowes him Mary that do I Hee 's of my fathers kitchen Nay Siâ— rather Iohn answer'd him this is your owne deare father For when that noble Sir whose name you beare Was trauel'd on some great affaire else-where This well fed Groome to whom you ought to kneele Begot you then all ouer head to heele It seemes your mother knew not drosse from Bullion That in a great Lords stead embrac'd a Scullion He chases the Sp'rit doth vanish in the while The rest seeme pleas'd and in the interim smile When suddenly in middle of the roome Is seene a tall and lusty stable-Groome A frocke vpon him and in his left hand A Curri-combe the other grasps a wand And lookes vpon a second Here I show him Amongst you all saith Iohn doth any know him I must saith one acknowledge him of force His name is Ralfe and keepes my fathers horse And kept your mother warme too doubt it not The very morning that you were begot Her husband bee'ng a hunting The Youth blusht The rest afraid now were with silence husht Then to the third he brought a Butler in And prov'd him guilty of his mothers sin A Tailor to the fourth So of the rest Till all of them were with like shame opprest Teutonicus this seeing Nay quoth hee Since I am likewise stain'd with bastardie You shall behold my father Soone appeares A well-flesht man aged some forty yeares Of graue aspect in a long Church-man's gowne Red cheekt and shauen both his beard and crowne By his formalities it might be guest He must be a Lord Abbot at the least Who disappearing This man I confesse Begot me of his smooth fac'd Landeresse Saith Iohn and somewhat to abate your pride Iudge now who 's best man by the fathers side Some vext and other turn'd the jest to laughter But with his birth did neuer taunt him after Of many such like things Authors discusse Not only sportiue but miraculous We reade of one in Creucemacon dwelling In this prestigious kinde of Art excelling Who by such Spirits helpe could in the aire Appeare an Huntsman and there chase the Hare With a full packe of dogs Meaning to dine A teeme of horse and cart laden with wine He eat vp at one meale and hauing fed With a sharpe sword cut off his seruants head Then set it on his shoulders firme and so As he was no whit dammag'd by the blow In Saxonie not from Torgauia far A Nobleman for raising ciuill war Had been confin'd and forfeiting his wealth Was forc'd to liue by rapine and by stealth He riding on the way doth meet by chance One of these Sp'rits submisse in countenance In habit of a Groome who much desires T' attend his Lordship Who againe requires What seruice he can do I can quoth he Keepe an horse well nothing doth want in me Belonging to a stable I for need Can play the Farrier too So both agreed And as they rode together ' boue the rest His Lord giues him great charge of one choice beast To tender him as th'apple of his eye He vowes to doo 't or else bids let him dye Next day his Lord rides forth on some affaire His new-come seruant then to shew his care This much lov'd Iennet from the stable shifts And to a roome foure stories high him lifts There leaues him safe The Lord comes home at night The Horse of his knowne Master hauing sight Neighs from aboue The Owner much amas'd Knowing the sound vp tow'rd the casement gas'd Calls his new seruant and with lookes austere Asks him by what means his good Steed came there Who answers Bee'ng your seruant I at large Desirous was to execute your charge Touching your horse for since you so well like him Loth any of the rest should kicke or strike him I yonder lodg'd him safe But little said The Nobleman and by his neighbours aid For to his house he now must ioyne the towne With cords and pullies he conuey'd him downe This Lord for some direptions being cast Into close prison and with gyues bound fast In vnexpected comes his Groome to see him And on condition promiseth to free him If he forbeare to signe him with the Crosse Which can saith he be to you no great losse Likewise refraine t' inuoke the name of God And you shall here no longer make aboad This bee'ng agreed he takes vpon his backe Gyv'd as he was and chain'd nothing doth lacke His noble master beares him through the aire Who terrify'de and almost in despaire Cries out Good God ô whether am I bound Which spoke he dropt the pris'ner to the ground Ev'n in an instant but by Gods good grace He light vpon a soft and sedgy place And broke no limbe Home straight the seruant hyes And tells them in what place his Master lies They to his Castle beare him thence forth-right Which done this seruant bids them all Good night Arlunus a more serious tale relates Two noble Merchants both of great estates From Italy tow'rd France riding in post Obserue a sterne blacke man them to accost Of more than common stature who thus spake If to Mediolanum you your journey take Vnto my brother Lewis Sforza go And vnto him from me this Letter show They terror'd with these words demand his name Both what to call him and from whence he came I Galeatius Sforza am saith hee And to the Duke deliuer this from mee So vanisht They accordingly present The Letter to the Prince The argument Was this O Lewis of thy selfe haue care The French and the Venetian both prepare T' inuade thy Dukedome and within short space From Millan to extirpe thee and thy Race But to my charge deliuer truly told Three thousand Florens of good currant gold I 'le try if I the Spirits can attone To keepe thee still invested in thy Throne Farewell The Letter was subscribed thus The Ghost of'thy brother Galcatius This though it seem'd a phantasie vnminded With selfe-conceit Prince Lewis Sforza blinded Soone after was by all his friends forsaken His City spoil'd himselfe surpris'd and taken One other to your patience I commend And with the close thereof this Tractat end A Youth of Lotharinge not meanly bred Who was by too much liberty mis-led His boundlesse